Statements by Panagiotis Psomiadis, who is in charge of New Democracy’s campaign in Northern Greece, provoked sharp responses from PASOK and SYRIZA. The provoking phrase was the definition that Golden Dawn was New Democracy’s "fraternal centre-right party."
The statement was made a few days ago during a visit of the former governor of Central Macedonia to the city of Xanthi. The man, who was removed from office because of corruption cases against him, denied having said such a thing, stating, "I have never said that Golden Dawn is New Democracy’s fraternal party. If I had made such a statement, it would be the top news on television today."
However, a sound recoding of his words appeared on the Internet on Wednesday and Panagiotis Psomiadis could be heard saying, "The percentage of New Democracy in Xanthi has significantly increased. I think by more than 5-7 points. This is the conclusion I have made from the shift of our friends from fraternal centre-right parties to ours, i.e. the parties of Dora Bakogiannis, Panos Kamenos, Stefanos Manos and Golden Dawn."
SYRIZA has immediately taken advantage of the developments and said, "Mr. Samaras should clarify to what extent the definition of the prominent representative and person in charge for the campaign in Northern Greece Panagiotis Psomiadis expresses him and his party."
PASOK's spokeswoman Fofi Genimata said, "Masks have fallen and dangerous liars are revealed. Concerned about polarization and dilemmas, some senior New Democracy representatives did not hesitate to publicly define Golden Dawn as a "fraternal party." Forced dilemmas and polarization by New Democracy and SYRIZA in order to collect more votes are leading to undemocratic thoughts and are detrimental to democratic institutions."
The leaders of Independent Greeks and LAOS Panos Kamenos and George Karatzaferis opposed Panagiotis Psomiadis’ statement. Panagiotis Psomiadis replied that they slandered him because of the decline in their election ratings.
Golden Dawn did not waste time and used the opportunity to show its true face. Candidate for deputy Ilias Panayotaros determined the case of party spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris beating the Communist Party deputy Liana Kannelli as "quite a natural reaction." He also said that Golden Dawn members would beat anyone who disagrees with their views, even in parliament.
In his speech to dozens of his supporters in the Athens suburb of Paleo Faliro, the muscular young man said, "We will show the video of what happened in the TV studio to anyone who dares to utter a word on national issues, on a compound name and similar nonsense in parliament," referring to the dispute over Macedonia's name. He accused Liana Kannelli that "she has been harmful to the state for years and smokes (during her television appearances – author’s note)." According to the candidate for deputy, Golden Dawn members will go to hospitals and kindergartens to take out the children of immigrants "in order to secure places for the children of Greeks."
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